16 June 2025

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested US$2.92 billion between 2015-2024 to connect over 66.5 million people to basic ICT services, primarily focusing on Africa’s most remote regions.

This achievement results from targeted investments in digital infrastructure, supportive regulatory frameworks, digital skills development, and backing for innovative tech companies.

Key projects include the Central African Backbone, which linked several Central African nations via terrestrial and submarine cables, enabling the deployment of thousands of kilometres of fibre optic cables, establishing technical sites, increasing internet penetration and significantly lowering data costs. Additionally, broadband networks in East Africa have improved international connectivity.

Despite progress, Africa still faces a substantial digital divide, with only about 12% of rural areas having internet access. To address this, the AfDB has mobilised public funds, promoted public-private partnerships and implemented risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private sector investment.

These efforts are already making a tangible difference: farmers access real-time market and weather data, remote communities benefit from digital education and telemedicine and mobile coverage continues to expand, fuelling Africa’s participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.